AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
A physician with Medicaid credentials in Texas can work in any office location in the state with one Medicaid number, but a dentist's Medicaid credentials are linked to a specific office location. If a dentist is filling in for another dentist, they have to wait several weeks for the credentials to be issued to the new location. H.B. 1661 directs the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules to allow a Medicaid credentialed dentist to follow the same process and procedures used by physicians, when there is a temporary interruption in care (e.g., physical illness, an injury, or a call to active duty with the military).
H.B. 1661 amends current law relating to Medicaid billing for the services of substitute dentists.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 32.076, Human Resources Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 32.076, as follows:
Sec. 32.076. SUBSTITUTE DENTISTS. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (executive commissioner), to the extent allowed by federal law, to adopt rules ensuring that the same standards applying to a physician who bills the medical assistance program for services provided by a substitute physician apply also to a dentist who bills the medical assistance program for services provided by a substitute dentist.
SECTION 2. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes a delay of implementation until such a waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. Requires the executive commissioner to adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.